Continuously-sounding piano device



' March 1, 1927.

l J. B. GRINOCH ET AL CON'TINUOUSLY SOUNDING PIANO DEVICE 2 Sheecs-Shee'l l Filed Deo. 18, 1925 BY mlm ATTORNEY March 1,1927. 1,619,722

l J. B. GRiNocH ET AL CONTINUOUSLY SOUNDING PIANO DEVICE Filed Dec. l? 1925 2 sheetssheeta.

IN V EN TOR.

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ATTORN Y Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

AUNITED STATES 1,519,722 PATENT GFFICE.

JACOB B. Gemeen AND sinon GRrNocn', or enorm, nsw YORK.

CONTINUO'USLY-SOUNDING PIANO DEVICE.

Application filed December 18, 1925.

This invention relates generally to musical instruments, the invention having more particular reference to a novel type of musical instrument. The invention has for an object the provision of an improved musical instrument of novel construction and arrangement of mechanism for mechanical bowing, whereby upon depressing the keys, continuous notes are obtained until the keys are released.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

Fig. 1 of the drawings is a front eleva tional section taken on the line 1--1 of Figure 2.

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view taken on the line 2 2' of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the positioning means.

Fig. i is an enlarged fragmentar f section taken on the line t-et of Figure 5.

Fig. 5 is a top .elevational sectional view taken on t-he line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Fig. 6 shows an enlarged detail perspective view of the rosin holding means.

Fig. 7 is a front elevational sectional view indicating the invention as applied to an upright piano.

Fig. S is a side sectional view line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Fig. 9 is a top elevational sectional view taken on the line 9*9 of Figure S.

The body 10 of the musical instrument shown in the accompanying drawing, is that of a piano mounted therein is a stringed instrument constructed similar to a harp, the strings of which are designated by the numeral 11. Transversely across the strings 11, the band-bow is mounted consisting of hair, silk or metal filaments 12, formed in one continuous band without knots or other projections which may be accomplished by joining' the ends of the filaments 12 subse* quently smoothing the joints and coating with a rosinous subst-ance. This band-bow is carried by idler wheel 13, attached to the vertical shaft 14, which is rotatively mounted in suitable bearings located in the adjustable members having threaded portions to accommodate the nuts 1G, there being suitable apertures in the side of the body taken on the Selal No. 76,157.

10 to accommodate the adjustable members 15, the heretobefore mentioned construction being such as will permit of obtaining any desired tension for the band-bow filaments 12, the said band-bow is also carried on the other side of the body 10 by the driver wheel 16 which is attached to a vertical shaft 18 which is rotatively'mounted in suitable bearings located in the brackets 17, receiving its motion from some prime mover 19.

Qur improved musical instrument has a key-board with keys 2O for all the different notes, and upon depressing any of the desired keys 20, the strings 11 are forced forward against the band-bow filaments 12, by means of the upright rods 21 attached at their lower extremities to the rear extremities 22 or" t-he keys which are pivoted as at 23, there being springs 4% suitably attached to the lower extremity of the upright rods; 21 and to any conveniently located place on the frame as at 45, to hold the keys 2O in a disengaged position, the upper extremities of the upright rods 21 being attached to one extremity of the bell cranks 2e, which are pivoted as at 25, their other extremities engaging with the upper extremities of the operating rods 26 which have their lower extremities pivoted in suitable recesses as designated by the numeral 27, the said operating rods 26 have upright portions 2S to which the lower ends of the strings 11 are attached by means of clamping blocks 29, or any other suitable arrangement of bolts, screws or the like. the operating rods 26 being somewhat bowed or curved, so as to have their center of gravity located as to cause the operating rods to normally assume a rear position when the keys 2O are not depressed. which will bring 'the strings away from the band-bow filaments.

1t is understood that the heretobefore mentioned construction is a positioning means for said strings and that the band-bow is driven by the prime mover., as heretobefore described in detail, when our improved musical instrument is being' played, so as to presont a continuous bowing effect.

To support the band-bow filaments 12, in the proper relation to the strings 11, rollers 30 ha ving shafts 30 and bearing in the body 10 are provided. rFliese rollers 30 are placed as to str-addio strings 11. in order that the operator may apply rosin as needed to the band-bow filaments l, a suitable foot lever 38 is pivoted at 31 and has a coniol nection link 32 to a second lever 33, pivoted at 34, and connection rod 35 operating resin holding lever 36 has a dove tailed end 36 to receive the rosin139 which is piveted at 37, whereby pressing down on toot-lever 378, resin 39 is forced against the band-bow filaments l2. Y

Referring in particular to Figures 7, 8, and 9, showing my improved musical instrument as applied to a piano, having a case 40, keyboard lll, strings 42, and action 43, the above mentioned parts being that ot' a piano or player piano of ordinary construction, it will be understood that certain minor changes are necessary te etl'eet the above mentioned application, he., the upright rods 21- are connected tothe keys 2O by means of cross arms 46 and second upright arms 47, as clearly shown on Figure 8 of the accompanying drawing.

VVhile we have above described the preferred form, construction, and arrangement of the several elements employed, it will be understood that the device is, nevertheless, susceptible of considerable modification therein, and we therefore reserve the privilege of resorting to all such changes as may 'be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desireto protect by Letters Patent of the United States is as ollows:- Y

l. In a musical instrument with sonorous strings, a band-bow positioned transverse to said strings, means for guiding said band-bow comprising rollers placed behind said band-bow and straddling said strings, said rollers being supported by shafts having bearings in the frame of the said musical instrument, means for adjusting the tension et said band-bow comprising adjustable members having threaded portions and nuts, :furnishing movable means for. an idler wheel, means for positioning said strings characterized by upright rods attached at their lower extremities to the rear extremities of pivoted keys, springs attached te the lower extremities et the said upright rods and to the said frame, the upper extremities or" the said upright rods being attached to one extremity of piveted bell cranks which are pivoted, their other extremities engaging with the upper extremities of operating rods, having their lower extremities pivoted in suitable recesses, said operating rods having upright portions to which the lower ends et the said strings are attached, the said operating rods being somewhat bowed so as to have their center et' gravity located as to cause the said operating rod to normally assume a rearV position when the said keys are not depressed, a resin member actuated by leverage to a toot-lever, whereby depressing the'iioot-lever, the resin mem- Y 'J- +1 d ber makes contact with ne said ban ow.

2. ln a musical instrument with sonorous strings, band-bow positioned transverse to said strings, means for imparting to said band-bow a continuous motion, rollers placed behind said band-bow and straddling said strings, means tor adjusting the tension of said band-bow; positioning means for said strings characterized by Operating rods, upright rods, bell cranks, and a rosinmember actuated by leverage to a toet-lever, whereby upon depressing the 'foot-lever, the resin member makes contact with the band-bow.

In a musical instrument with sonorous strings, a band-bow positioned transverse to said strings,- means :for imparting to said band-bow a continuous motion, rollers placed behind said band-bow and straddling said strings, means for adjusting the tension or' said band-bow, positioning means for said string characterized by operating rods, upright rods, bell cranks, and a resin member actuated by leverage to a foot-lever, whereby upon depressing the toot-lever, the resin member makes Contact with the band-bow.

4. ln a musical instrument with sonorous strings, a band-bow with means for a continuous motion engageable Vwith the said strings, means tor guiding said band-bow comprising rollers placed behind said bandbow and straddling said strings, said rollers being supported by shafts having bearings in the body of the said musical instrument, an idler wheel, tension adjustment tor said band-bow comprising means for changing the position of said idler wheel, positioning means for said strings characterized by operating rods, upright rods, cross arms, bell cranks, springs, substantially asset Vforth,

and a resin member engageable with said band-bow actuated by a toot lever.

5. ln a musical instrument with sonorous strings, a band-bow with means for a continuous motion engageable with the said strings, means for guiding said band-bow comprising rollers placed behind said bandbow and straddling said strings, said rollers being supported by shafts having bearings in the body of the said musical instrument, an idler wheel, tension adjustment for said band-bow comprising means for changing the position of said idler wheel, positioning means for said strings characterized by operating rods, upright rods, cross arms, bell cranks, springs, substantially as set forth, and a resin member engageable with said band-bow actuated by a :toot lever.

In testimony whereof we have alain d our signatures. Y

JACOB B. GRNOCH. SIMON GRINOCH. 

